[Joint Statement] The Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal must lead to a permanent ceasefire and an end to colonial occupation

A ceasefire doesn’t mean an end to the genocide

January 15th – Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire deal, after 15 months of genocide. The deal encompasses three stages, calling for 42 day periods during which Israeli “hostages” and Palestinian prisoners will be exchanged, Israel will withdraw from the Gaza Strip in stages and the rebuilding of Gaza will begin. This ceasefire, which will take effect on January 19th, has come too late, amidst the death and suffering of too many. Moreover, as a tenuous measure, it is but the first step in ending the genocide. A ceasefire doesn’t mean the genocide has ended. Moreover, even in the midst of negotiations, Israel massacred Palestinians desperately waiting for news of a ceasefire, and even after the ceasefire was announced they have continued to airstrike Gazans celebrating the news. In November 2023, Israel resumed bombing the Gaza Strip after claiming Hamas had violated the ceasefire. Beyond the temporary cessation of violence, we must move towards a permanent ceasefire and a total end to colonial occupation.

The period following October 7, 2023, went from being called “the second Nabka” to being considered as the worst “Nakba” experienced to date. 47,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, and over 110,000 have been injured. The death toll is expected to rise greatly when accounting for the missing who are buried under the rubble. One child was killed every hour. Most of the hospitals, schools and residences in the Gaza Strip have been destroyed and 90% of Gazans have been displaced, turning Gaza into a living hell. Over the last 15 months, under the pretense of destroying Hamas, Israel has blatantly disregarded international law and committed war crimes, attempting to annihilate the Palestinian people. This even led to the ICC issuing arrest warrants for Prime Minister Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant. They must be held accountable for their war crimes, and punished accordingly.

The US and other Western countries must also be held accountable for the genocide. These countries have supplied weapons to Israel while supporting their “right to defense”. Outgoing US President Joe Biden recently notified Congress of a $8 billion dollar arms sale to Israel. South Korea has continued their military cooperation and arms trade with Israel since October 7th, 2023. In fact, Korean weapons exports to Israel between January 2024 to August 2024 alone amounted to approximately 8.5 billion won. Last September, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution demanding an end to Israel’s unlawful occupation of Palestine within 12 months. The resolution calls on not only Israel to end its occupation, but for member states to stop exporting or transferring weapons, ammunition and military equipment to Israel. Member states of the UN must do everything in their power to turn this temporary ceasefire into a permanent ceasefire and to bring this illegal occupation to an end.

Over the last 467 days we have watched in real time as Palestinians fled the “living hell” of Gaza, as they were killed, as they returned to their destroyed homes, and they were killed again, and again. We watched as children wrote their names on their bodies so they could be identified in death. Through the international community’s solidarity and pressure we will bring an end to Israel’s genocide. We will keep a close eye on the implementation of the ceasefire deal and will stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people until there is a permanent ceasefire, until Israeli occupation forces completely withdraw from the Gaza Strip, until the war criminals are punished, and until Palestine is free from the river to the sea.

January 16, 2025
Urgent Action by S.Korean Civil Society in Solidarity with Palestine

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